Last week, as Baltimore braced for renewed protests over the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore Police Department prepared for battle. In response to a local march, the BPD did what any self-respecting police department in post-9/11 America would do: it declared war on the protesters.

As residents of Maryland and the nation brace for what could potentially be another night of civil unrest in Baltimore, it is important to pause and reflect on what has brought us to the current moment.

Our city is one that has great pride and passion for all things "Bawlmer, Hon" -- be it the Ravens, Orioles, our neighborhoods or blue crabs -- and we're rallying that same passion for the "Super Bowl" of giving on Dec. 3.

State-of-the-town speeches exploded during the housing boom, when mayors could describe the growth in the tax base and bask in the glow. After everything went to hell in 2008, mayors would probably have preferred to skip the speech.

Last week I found myself with an invitation to be a fly on the wall of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. The conference is where the 99% can find the leaders with the most realistic solutions to our nation's problems